Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Gypsy Kiss’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Gypsy Kiss’, characterized by its relatively compact and upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; large reddish purple-colored flowers with darker reddish purple-colored venation and very light purple-colored margins; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘GYPSY KISS’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR AND APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instantplant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application,Floricultura B.V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Mar. 18, 2021,application number 2021/0831. Foreign priority is not claimed to thisEuropean Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior artexception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior tothe filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filingdate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Gypsy Kiss’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Den Hoorn and Heemskerk, The Netherlands.The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing andfreely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and largeflowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination inNovember, 2011 in Den Hoorn, The Netherlands of a proprietary selectionof Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3708, not patented,as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection ofPhalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3676, not patented, asthe male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discoveredand selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouseenvironment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in January, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince January, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Gypsy Kiss’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Gypsy Kiss’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1. Relatively compact and upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Large reddish purple-colored flowers with darker reddish        purple-colored venation and very light purple-colored margins.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in plant habit as plants of thenew Phalaenopsis are shorter than plants of the female parent selection.In addition, flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are reddishpurple in color whereas flowers of plants of the female parent selectionare purple in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in plant habit as plants of the newPhalaenopsis are shorter than plants of the male parent selection. Inaddition, flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are reddish purplein color whereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection areviolet in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Vivaldi’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants ofthe new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Vivaldi’ in flowercolor as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have flowers with very lightpurple-colored margin edges whereas plants of ‘Vivaldi’ have flowersthat do not have very light purple or whitish-colored margin edges. Inaddition, the curvature of the labellum is stronger in plants of the newPhalaenopsis than plants of ‘Vivaldi’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘Gypsy Kiss’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of atypical flower and flower buds of ‘Gypsy Kiss’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the early spring in 10.5-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs anddescription were taken. During the first twelve months of production ofthe plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the finalsix months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20°C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. Duringthe 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Gypsy Kiss’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number ST 3708, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number ST 3676, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to            30° C.        -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in            color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; relatively            compact and upright plant habit with typically two            inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous            flowers; monopodial; moderately vigorous growth habit and            moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            13.5 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 37.8 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 27.5 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            six leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 18.6 cm.        -   Width.—About 6.4 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate to narrowly oblong; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal acute.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.5 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.3 cm. Sheath color: Close to 143A; strongly tinged            towards the margins with close to 200A.        -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; margin            edges, tinged with close to 200A; fine speckles, close to            NN137A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 147A            overlain with close to 189A; margin edges, close to 147A;            venation, close to 147A. Fully expanded leaves, lower            surface: Close to 146A; margin edges, close to 147A;            venation, close to 137A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about            eight flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching            inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with            three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal            transformed into a labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 20.3 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 14.3 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 cm by            1.7 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 152A to 152B;            towards the apex and lower surface, tinged with close to            183B.        -   Flower size.—Large, about 8.7 cm (vertical) by 10 cm            (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 2.6 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.8 cm. Width: About 6 cm.            Shape: Reniform to lunate. Apex: Obtuse to broad and bluntly            acute. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When            opening, upper surface: Close to 72B; towards the margins            and apex, close to N78A; at the base (at column connection),            close to N78A. When opening, lower surface: Close to 77B;            center, strongly tinged with close to 150C and 150D. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to N78B slightly blended with            close to NN78B; at the base (at column connection), close to            NN78A; at the margin edges, close to 76C to 76D; venation,            darker than ground color, close to a blend of N78A and            NN78A; color does not change with subsequent development.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N75B; center, tinged            with close to 157A; towards the margins, close to 77B and at            the margin edges, close to 76C to 76D; venation, close to            N75A; color does not change with subsequent development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1.7 cm. Length, central lobe: About            3.5 cm. Width, central lobe: About 7 mm to 24 mm. Shape,            lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,            lateral lobes: Rounded. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two            narrow and strongly recurved cirrose tips, about 1.5 cm in            length and about 1 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:            Entire; coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at            the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral            petals; about 5 mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about            6 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to a blend of 185B and 187C; at the base,            stripes, close to 157C; venation, close to a blend of 185A            and 187B. Central lobe: Close to 187D; towards the margins            and apex, close to 187C; at the base (at column connection),            close to 157D with radial stripes, close to 175A; cirrose            tips, close to 187C. Callosities: Close to 21C; fine dots,            close to 185A. When opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes:            Close to 197D; central blotch, close to 182C to 182D; apical            margin, close to 70A and basal margin, close to 183B to            183C. Central lobe: Close to 183D; towards the apex, close            to 156D and 157B; towards the base and at the base (at            column connection), close to 156D; towards the margins,            close to 185C and at the margin edges, close to 183B;            cirrose tips, close to 187C. Fully opened, upper surface:            Lateral lobes: Close to N78A; towards the base, close to a            blend of 185B and 187C and at the base, stripes, close to            157C; venation, close to a blend of 185A and 187B. Central            lobe: Close to 187D; towards the margins and apex, close to            187C; at the base (at column connection), close to 157D with            radial stripes, close to 175A; main vein, close to 187C;            cirrose tips, close to 187C. Callosities: Close to 21C; fine            dots, close to 185A. Fully opened, lower surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to 197D; central blotch, close to 182C to 182D;            apical margin, close to 70A and basal margin, close to 183B            to 183C. Central lobe: Close to 183D; towards the apex,            close to 156D and 157B; towards the base and at the base (at            column connection), close to 156D; towards the margins,            close to 181B and at the margin edges, close to 181A;            cirrose tips, close to 187C.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:            About 4.8 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.4 cm. Length,            lateral sepals: About 4.7 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            3 cm. Shape, dorsal and lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal            sepal: Bluntly acute to occasionally, shallowly retuse.            Apex, lateral sepals: Bluntly acute. Base, dorsal and            lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals:            Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color,            dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface: Close to N79C; at            the base (at column connection), close to N78A; venation,            darker than N78A. When opening, lower surface: Close to a            blend of 152D and 195A; towards the margins and apex, close            to N77B; venation, close to 183B. Fully opened, upper            surface: Close to N78A; towards the margins and apex, close            to N78B; at the margin edges, close to 76C to 76D; at the            base (at column connection), close to NN78A; venation,            darker than a blend of N78A and NN78A. Fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 196A to 196B; towards the margins and            apex, close to N78D; venation, close to N77B. Color, lateral            sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to N79C; at the            base, blotches and fine dots, close to 151D; venation,            darker than N78A. When opening, lower surface: Close to a            blend of 152D and 195A; towards the margins and apex, close            to N77B; venation, close to 183B. Fully opened, upper            surface: Close to N78B; at the margin edges, close to 76C to            76D; at the base (at column connection), blotches and fine            dots, close to 151D; venation, close to a blend of N78A and            NN78A. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 197D; towards            the margins and apex, close to N78C to N78D; venation, close            to N77B.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 39.8 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            146A to 146B; densely covered with fine dots, close to            between N186C and 200A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 50° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 148C; proximally, close 148A and distally, close to            156C.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.            Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to N78B;            apical blotch, close to 76C. Pollinia quantity: Two.            Pollinia diameter (per two pollinia): About 2.5 mm. Pollinia            color: Close to 24A. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 4 mm.            Stigma width: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma            color: Close to 157D. Ovary length: About 8 mm. Ovary            diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 144C. Seeds and            fruits: To date, seed and fruit development have not been            observed on plants of the new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘GypsyKiss’ as illustrated and described.